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Farmington News
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From "The History of Old 'Farmington' by Ruth Hewitt and Aileen Groves": The Farmington Hall Association built a two-story Hall in 1881. It still stands in the same place; the Odd Fellows still meet there; and the bottom floor is used as a local store. The Odd Fellows Lodge No. 296 was instituted July 2, 1882 and bought the Hall Building July 11, 1882. The charter members were N.S. Harrold, farmer; W.A. Foran, a saloon keeper, W.H. Clinger, a farmer; B.F. Long, merchant; R.A. Morrison, clerk; R. Crawford, blacksmith; and N.S. Shattuck, farmer. The Odd Fellows still meet but are not as active as they were at one time. Crescent Rebekah Lodge No. 232 was instituted in 1889 but due to lack of interest was abandoned in 1956. The Rebekahs had several District Deputy Presidents during their time of existence. The Farmington Lodge No. 223 Independent Order of Good Templar's, organized in the 1880's, didn't seem to have the interest it takes to keep going, so didn't stay in existence long. In the Stockton Paper on July 5, 1885 appeared this article about the Good Templar's: "Rev. C.A. Batman, grand lecturer of the T.O.T.O. was in town last Sunday trying to 'Boom the Good Templar's' business' but it didn't boom worth a cent. The order is virtually dead. It maintained a struggle for existence for four years, at first three years of gratifying success, but no one feels like starting it again as the novelty has worn off and two or three cannot keep it up."

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Today the Farmington I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 296 is still in existence with 17 active members and they meet the second week of each month. The Lodge is having a 50/50 Raffle. The raffle tickets are selling for $5 each and the drawing will be held Oct. 12, 2011. All proceeds will finance Scholarship Programs and repairs to the old Lodge building. If all tickets are sold, the person holding the lucky ticket could win up to $2,500. You do not need to be present to win. Members of the Lodge are selling the tickets or you can purchase them from Tammy Blasingame at the Farmington Post Office or Conni Bailey at the Farmington Fire Department.

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The fire department hosted a memorial for 9/11. Altogether, 71 attended the memorial and later church service. The Pray Shawl Ministry of the Farmington United Methodist Church presented each of the 22 firefighters with fleece pillows decorated with the firefighter decorations. A luncheon was served to all in attendance.

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Condolences to the family of Dolly Ogilvie who passed away August 27th. Dolly had been a resident of Farmington for 65 years.

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I would still like to hear from you. Have you taken a trip? Have you had out of town visitors? Let me know of family birthdays, anniversaries and new arrivals to your family. Whatever you want to add to the Farmington News is welcome.

Please contact me if you have items for the Farmington News column. E-mail me at farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.